“You can't just go around using people's stuff without their permission!”

You're in a band. You've been looking for your guitar, and are surprised to discover that your bandmate is playing it. You say this because you're angry that he took the guitar without asking you first.

You can't just go around using people's stuff without their permission!

Audio by native English speakers

Audio files are available to
PhraseMix Premium members.

Listen to more than 2,000 audio lessons!

Join PhraseMix Premium!

PhraseMix is the best way to learn English quickly, and listening to the audio lessons is the best way to enjoy PhraseMix.

Become a PhraseMix Premium member to read thousands of English lessons and articles, download high-quality audio, and use our amazing review system!

The phrase "go around ___ing" describes someone doing something bad again and again, with different people.

For example, if someone has been spreading false rumors about you, you can say:

She's been going around telling everyone that I slept with Kyle. That's a lie!

If your husband or wife has been spending a lot of money on useless things, you can say:

You think you can just go around spending money left and right? We've got bills to pay, damn it!

It is possible to use "go around ___ing" to talk about someone doing a good thing many times, but it's rare. Even if you're talking about the person doing something good, it might seem like you're complaining:

He's always going around telling everyone what a great job they're doing.